A Sandy Hook Law Limiting Magazine Size Leads to A Lawsuit in Connecticut

Two Connecticut gun rights groups have filed a lawsuit against the State officials because of a law passed after the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in 2013, limiting the size of magazines to just ten rounds. The Connecticut Citizens Defense League (CCDL) and the Second Amendment Foundation filed the lawsuit arguing that the law places unconstitutional restrictions on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

CCDL President Holly Sullivan said the law makes law-abiding citizens more susceptible to harm or death by limiting their self-defense capabilities. He added that only law-abiding citizens would abide by the directive to load only ten rounds in a magazine capable of holding more rounds. According to him, criminals with the intent of harming would disregard such guidelines.

The law required people with "large-capacity" magazines to keep them only after registering with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The law, however, required them to load only ten rounds in any type of magazine that could take more than the stated number. Any magazine, drum, belt, feed strip, or any device to feed ammunition to the firearm that could hold more than ten rounds came under this restriction.

The lawsuit notes that law-abiding citizens with a larger number of rounds stand a better chance against a gang of criminals during an attack. Additionally, a law-abiding citizen would be unable to load more rounds in case he or she sustained an injury during a fire exchange with armed criminals.

"A person with 15 rounds of ammunition available will be better able to defend himself or herself from a criminal gang, or from a drug-crazed criminal who continues attacking even after being shot, than a person who has only 10 rounds of ammunition available before they must reload their gun," part of the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit mentions Connecticut's Chief Attorney Richard Colangelo Jr., state police Col. Stavros Mellekas, and Public Safety Commissioner James Rovella. None of the respondents were in their current office during the passage of the law. However, they will represent the state because of their current official positions.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing universal background checks in our state, and if left unchecked, it will not be long until we see bills like this getting traction in Austin. Texas is embarrassingly ranked 29th for gun rights, and with the help of the political elites in Austin, we will surely rank among New York, California, and Illinois if left to their own devices. Please join our fight today, and help us restore Texas' place as the standard for the U.S.